Rotary engine



June 22, 1937. E. c. BELL 2,084,667

RRRRRRRRRR NE Filed Sept. 10, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 A Home}:

June 22, 1937. E. BELL 2,084,667

ROTARY ENGINE Filed Sept. 10, 1955 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inuerilor Zia far C Be llomey E. C. BELL ROTARY ENGINE Jung 22, 1937.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept, 10, 1935 Inventor Patented June 22, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFIQE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to a rotary engine, the prime object of which is to so construct the rotor and stator that the greatest amount of power is derived from the fluid pressure.

5 A further object of the invention is to provide a rotary engine having improved means for dirooting a stream of steam, compressed air, water or other fluid pressure against abutments carried by the rotor and the wall of the rotor cas- 10 ing simultaneously and driving the rotor selectively in either of two directions.

Still another object is to provide an improved engine of the character stated, characterized by simplicity of construction and lowmaintenance 15 cost.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying .drawings, the subjoined detailed description and theappended. claims.

2 the drawings: I

Figure 1" is a sectional view through one form of rotary engine embodying the features of the present invention;

Figure 2 -is a transverse sectional view substantially at'right angles to Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevation of the rotary assembly.

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view through the casing of the engine.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sec- 30 tion'al'view of the periphery of the rotor.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the periphery of the rotor.

"Figure '7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 'l----! of Figure 8.

Figure 8 is'a sectional view of another form of the invention.

F A consideration of the drawings'will show that inthe preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotary engine consists broadly in the protaken 40 vision of a suitable circular casing. in which is mounteda rotor. The latter is provided on its periphery with a plurality of pockets,.and the casingiis provided "on its inner wall with a pluralityof pockets. The latterpockets cooperate 45 with the pockets inthe rotor to insure a positive and efficient drive of the rotor when fluid pressureis directed against abutments formed by the walls of the pockets on the rotor, and the wall'of the casing respectively, as will be bet- 50 ter appreciated as thedescription proceeds.

In Figures 1-7 inclusive, there is illustrated a rotary engine constructed in accordance with the present invention, and particularly adapted for use 'as a steam or compressed air engine.

5.5 tfrThe, form" of invention illustrated in Figure 8 is particularly adapted for use as a hydraulic engine.

Describing first the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1-7 inclusive, it will be seen that there is provided a suitable casing which includes an annular or peripheral wall 5, and end walls B6 secured to the wall 5 by stud bolts 1. The peripheral wall 5 of the casing is' provided on its inner side with a circular series of pockets ll. Each of these pockets is preferably formed by providing a wall E2 extending substantially radially and inwardly to the inner peripheral edge of the wall 5. A pair of side walls is converge as they proceed from the wall 12, and the bottom wall I4 is tapered and extends from the base of the wall l2 to the inner circular edge of the wall 5 at a point remote from the wall 12, all of which is best shown in Fig. '7. Further, as. the bottom wall of each pocket approaches the inner peripheral or circular edge of the casing wall 5, said bottom wall is transversely curved and cut away, as at l5;

The purpose of the cut I5 is to admit fluid pressure simultaneously to all of the pockets II. In this connection, it will also be noted that each bottom wall of the pocket l5 extends from its wall I-2 to the periphery or inner circular edge of the wall 5 at the point where the wall I2 oi the next adjacent pocket merges with the inner peripheral or circular edge of the wall 5.

Suitably journaled within the casing is a rotor, indicated generally by the reference numeral 16. This rotor is provided on its periphery with a circular series of pockets l8, which are substantially the same in construction as the aforesaid pockets II. The end walls ll of the pockets l8 extend transversely from one side edge to the other of the rotor and also extend radially outwardly to the peripheral edge of the rotor, form ing abutment faces for the rotor, it being understood that the shapes of the pockets is are such as to enable the fluid pressure to obtain suflicient purchase within the pockets.

In connection with the above, it will be noted that-as shownthe pockets H and 58, as well as their respective end walls l2 and H, are oppositely disposed and it is apparent that when full pressure is directed into the pockets, the rotor will be driven in the direction of the inclination of the bottom walls of the pockets l8, that is, cloclEwise-as viewed in Fig. 1.

Fluid pressure entering the casing 5, as will be subsequently described, enters substantially all of the pockets ll because of the cuts l5, and the pressure is exerted against the walls I1 and I2, thus driving the rotor in the same manner as a piston head is driven away from the cylinder head in a reciprocating engine.

The side walls Na and bottom walls IBa of the pockets I8 diverge towards the end walls I'I, thus providing an expanding chamber for the fluid pressure. This construction adds materially to the efliciency and proper operation of the engine.

Pressure is delivered to the rotor thru an intake port I9 provided in the wall 5 of the casing. This port I9 is disposed at an angle so as to project steam angularly against the walls I! of the pockets I8, as these pockets pass into communication with the port I9. The steam passes successively thru the cuts I5 into the successive pockets II and in this manner the steam passes thru the engine to discharge thru the exhaust port I9a provided in the wall 5, and this port is arranged at an angle, as shown.

Suitable manifolds 20 and 2| are provided for the respective ports I9 and I9a.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, an integral rib 25 is formed with the casing 5. This rib projects inwardly and forms a partition which extends between a pair of rotors Ilia and Hill, shown in Fig. 3. These rotors are fixed on a shaft I6 which extends thru the casing and is suitably journaled in bearings integrally formed with the walls 6 of the casing.

In Fig. 3, the pockets I'Ia and III) of the rotors Ilia and IE1), respectively, are oppositely disposed so that on application of pressure on one rotor, the shaft I6 will be driven in one direction while the application of pressure to the other rotor will drive the shaft in the reverse direction. Thus, I provide a reversible engine adapted to be driven by steam or compressed airas may be found more desirable.

It will be evident that the rotors in my engine may be compounded for additional power, if desired.

Adjacent the ports I9 and Hm, I provide an internal chamber 26. This chamber is arcuate and extends between the ports I9 and I9a and also somewhat in advance of the port I912.

A pair of choke blocks 28 and 30 are arranged in the chamber 26. The block 28 is positioned between the ports I9 and I91; and the block 30' is arranged at the side of the port I9a, as shown in Fig. 1. These blocks 28 and 30 are held in yieldable engagement with the periphery of the rotor thru the medium of springs 29 and 3!, respectively. Also, each of the blocks is provided with a port 33 extending therethru.

In the form of invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, steam or compressed air is delivered thru the port I9 and into the pockets II and I8, and the steam will expand against the abutment walls of the pocket and will drive the rotor in the desired direction. When in operation, all of the pockets are filled with steam, from the port I9 to the choke block 28. Thus, driving pressure is constantly exerted thruout practically the en tire circumference of the rotor. The blocks 28 and 39 will effectively prevent the discharging steam from working back to mingle with the incoming steam, or the compressed airas the case may be.

Further, it will be noted that any steam in the pockets of the rotor, as these pockets pass under the respective blocks 28 and 39, will escape thru the ports 33 of the blocks and will press against the tops of these blocks, thusassisting in holding the same tightly against the periphery of the rotor.

To provide steam-tight chambers in the casing, end plates 9 are fitted in grooves in the opposite sides of the wall 5 and these plates are secured in position by countersunk screws I0.

In Fig. 8, I have illustrated a hydraulic engine and the construction of the rotor and casing is the same as previously described, however to prevent the water which discharges thru the exhaust port I9a from seeping back to mingle with the incoming water, I have provided a chamber 22 between the ports I9 and I9a. A choke block 23 is slidably mounted in the chamber and springs 24 bear against the block to urge the same against the periphery of the rotor. The inner face of the block is arcuate so as to conform to the face of the rotor.

It will be noted that in the case of the steam or compressed air engine, the pressure is retained in the casing 5 and consequently against the rotor I6 over substantially the entire circumference of the rotor, that is, the choke block 30 prevents the pressure from freely exhausting from the casing and only that pocket in the rotor which is directly over the exhaust I9a will exhaust steam. The only steam exhausted is in the pocket in the rotor which passes under the exhaust and the pressure in the balance of the pockets of the casing is retained. The pockets in the casing are under constant pressure and consequently no pressure will be exhausted from the engine until the rotor has turned so as to bring a previously filled pocket under the exhaust.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A rotary engine including a casing having an intake port and an exhaust port, said ports being spaced apart, said casing being provided with a series of pockets on the inner surface thereofv and extending around the casing from one side of, the intake port to one side of the exhaust port, a rotor mounted in the casing, provided on its periphery with a circumferential series of pockets for cooperation with the pockets in the wall of the casing, said pockets in the rotor each including a radially extending end wall and side and bottom walls diverging from the periphery of the rotor to said end wall, and pressure check means between the intake and exhaust ports.

2. A rotary engine including a casing having an intake port and an exhaust port, said ports being spaced apart, said casing being provided with a series of pockets on the inner surface thereof and extending around the casing from one side of the intake port to one side of the exhaust port, a rotor mounted in the casing, provided on its periphery with a circumferential series of pockets for cooperation with the pockets in the wall of the casing, said pockets in the rotor each including a radially extending end wall and side and bottom walls diverging from.

the periphery of the rotor to said end wall, pressure check means between the intake and exhaust ports, a second pressure check means ad-' jacent the exhaust port, said pockets in the casing having inter-communicating cuts whereby pressure is transmitted from one pocket to another, said cuts providing a free exhaust.

3. A rotary engine including a casing, having an intake port and an exhaust port, said ports being spaced apart, said casing being provided with a circumferential series of pockets on the inside thereof, and extending around the casing from one side of the intake port to one side of the exhaust port, each of said pockets having side walls and a bottom wall, said side walls converging in the direction of the rotation of the rotor and said bottom wall tapering inwardly, a rotor mounted in the casing provided on its periphery with a continuous circumferential series of pockets for cooperation with the pockets in the wall of the casing, each of said last named pockets including side walls, a bottom wall and an end wall, the side and bottom walls tapering from the end wall to the periphery of the rotor.

4. A rotary engine including a casing, having an intake port and an exhaust port, said ports being spaced apart, said casing being provided with a circumferential series of pockets on the inside thereof and extending around the casing to one side of the intake port to one side of the exhaust port, each of said pockets having side walls and a bottom wall, said side walls converging in the direction of the rotation of the rotor and said bottom wall tapering inwardly, a rotor mounted in the casing provided on its periphery with a continuous circumferential series of pockets for co-operation with the pockets in the Wall of the casing, each of said last named pockets including side walls, a bottom wall and an end wall, the side and bottom walls tapering from the end wall to the periphery of the rotor, the taper of the walls of the last named pockets being opposite to the taper of the first named pockets.

5. A rotary engine including a casing, having an intake port and an exhaust port, said ports being spaced apart, said casing being provided with a circumferential series of pockets on the inside thereof and extending around the easing to one side of the intake port to one side of the exhaust port, each of said pockets having side walls and a bottom wall, said side walls converging in the direction of the rotation of the rotor and said bottom wall tapering inwardly, a rotor mounted in the casing provided on its periphery with a continuous circumferential series of pockets for cooperation with the pockets in the wall of the casing, each of said last named pockets including side walls, a bottom wall and an end wall, the side and bottom walls tapering from the end wall to the periphery of the rotor, said pockets in the casing having inter-communicating cuts whereby fluid pressure is transmitted from one pocket to another.

6. A rotary engine including a casing, having an intake port and an exhaust port, said ports being arranged in spaced relation, said casing being provided with a circumferential series of pockets on the inside thereof extending around the casing from one side of the intake port to one side of the exhaust port, said pockets having inter-communicating cuts whereby fluid pressure is transmitted from one pocket to another, said pockets including side and bottom walls, said walls diverging from said cuts, a rotor mounted in the casing provided on its periphery with a continuous circumferential series of pockets for cooperation with the pockets in the wall of the casing, said last named pockets including a radial end wall, a pair of side walls and a bottom wall, said last named side walls and bottom wall diverging from the periphery of the rotor to an end wall.

EDGAR COLLINS BELL. 

